The Editor, Sir:

I read with interest the article 'More breast milk, less psychos' published in The Gleaner of Tuesday, September 19. In this article, Dr. Eva Lewis-Fuller, director of family health services in the Ministry of Health, states, "mothers who breastfeed their babies for up to six months or more are less likely to raise children who are psychopaths."

While I endorse Dr. Eva Lewis-Fuller statements on the importance of breast milk to the emotional, mental and physical development of children, as a mother I am deeply concerned about this correlation with access to maternity leave.

The law allows three months maternity leave, one with pay and one without. As a mother and teacher, I went back to school after two months while breast-feeding as I could not afford to take the one month without pay. Moreover, at the time I had no vacation leave to my credit with which to supplement the maternity leave.

Any mother knows that if you are away from your breastfed baby for two hours or more your breast hurts and the milk drains from them. That was my experience. As a result I had to leave the classroom and make regular visits to the restroom where I would extract the milk from my breasts to ease the pain.

Living near my place of work provided an advantage. Lunchtime I would go home and feed my baby and return to work just to ensure that she gets 'her milk'. However, after three months of breastfeeding due to the long delay between feeding time due to work, I was forced to use milk formula (an expensive alternative). Introduction of this caused a cessation in breastfeeding. How I wished I was able to breastfeed for up to six months!

Strengthen emotional bonds

So, Mrs. Lewis-Fuller, in this week of breastfeeding probably you could advocate for a few more months' maternity leave for all mothers.

This increased time spent together would indeed strengthen emotional bonds between mother and infant and "cut down on the psychopathic behaviour in our country."

It is my belief that mothers who are given up to four to six months of maternity leave are more likely to breastfeed their babies. Therefore, they are less likely to raise children who are psychopaths and menace to the society.

I am, etc.,

IOLYN BRISSETT-DONALD

imbrisdon@yahoo.com

St. Andrew

Via Go-Jamaica